to see the Infants disembark from Old
Dolliver's Ark. Mary Cox arranged her Upedes on one side of the path
and they began to sing:
"Uncle Noah, he drove an Ark--
One wide river to cross!
He made a landing at Briarwood Park--
One wide river to cross!
One wide river!
One wide river of Jordan!
One wide river!
One wide river to cross!"
Old Dolliver, all one wide grin and flapping duster, drove his bony
horses to the stopping place with a flourish.
"Here we be!" he croaked. "The old craft is jest a-bulgin' over with
Infants."
Mary Cox pulled open the door and the first newcomer popped out as
though she had been clinging to the handle when The Fox made the
movement.
"The Infants got out, one by one--
One wide river to cross!
First Infant bumps into a great big Stone--
One wide river to cross!"
And there really was Heavy to receive the newcomer with open arms, who
said, while the others chanted the refrain:
"My name's Jennie Stone, and you're very welcome to Briarwood, and
what's your name, Infant?"
The girls in the stage-coach had been forewarned by Old Dolliver as to
their probable greeting, and they took this all in good part. They
disembarked with their bags and parcels, while Tony Foyle appeared to
help Old Dolliver down with the heavier luggage that was strapped upon
the roof and in the boot behind. Mary Cox continued to line out the
doggerel, inventing some telling hits as she went along, while the
Upedes came in strongly on the refrain.
There was much laughter and confusion; but the arriving Infants were
lined up two by two between the long rows of Briarwood girls and were
forced to march toward the Hall by this narrow path.
"Come! we are Infants, too," exclaimed Ruth, pulling Helen by the
sleeve. "We will lead the march."
She drew her chum away with her, and they introduced themselves to the
girls at the head of the column of freshies.
"We are Helen Cameron and Ruth Fielding," said Ruth, cordially. "We
only got here yesterday, so we are Infants, too. We will take you to
the office of the Preceptress."
So the chums bore their share of the indignity of being marched up
through the grounds like culprits, and halted the file at the steps of
the main building.
"We have Duet Number 2 in the West Dormitory," said Ruth, boldly, to
the new-comers. "When you have found your rooms and got settled--after
supper,
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